In traditionalChristian architecture, theplan view of a church often forms aChristian cross. The centeraisle and seating create the vertical beam, while thebema andaltar form the horizontal arms.Towers ordomes rise above theheaven-facing roof line to encourage contemplation of the divine. Modern churches employ variedarchitectural styles, and many buildings originally designed for other purposes have been converted to churches. From the 11th to the 14th centuries, Western Europe experienced a wave of church construction.
Many churches worldwide are of considerable historical, national, cultural, and architectural significance. Several are included in the list ofUNESCO World Heritage Sites.[3]
Cyrican is anOld English word for churches and church property
The wordchurch is derived fromOld Englishcirice, 'place of assemblage set aside for Christian worship', from theCommon Germanic wordkirika. This was probably borrowed viaGothic fromAncient Greekkyriakon doma, 'the Lord's (house)', fromkyrios, 'ruler, lord'.Kyrios in turn comes from theIndo-European root*ḱewh₁-, meaning 'to spread out, to swell' (euphemistically: 'to prevail, to be strong').[4]
The word's cognates in many languages reflect its transmission from Greek andProto-Indo-European roots. In earlyGermanic languages such asOld High German, the term becamekirihha, signaling how Christianization shaped local vocabulary. Early Christian communities used the word to stress a building's dedication toGod.[5]
The history of church buildings traces the transformation of Christian worship spaces from clandestinehouse churches in the Roman Empire to monumentalbasilicas after legalization in 313 with theEdict of Milan, when imperial patronage and civic basilica forms were adapted to liturgical needs.[6][7] During the 10th to 12th centuries theRomanesque period emphasized thick masonry walls, barrel and groin vaults, and round arches, followed in the 12th to 16th centuries byGothic architecture, which developed pointed arches, rib vaults, andflying buttresses to achieve greater height and light.[8][9] From the 15th centuryRenaissance architecture revived classical orders, symmetry, and proportional systems, and in the 17th to 18th centuriesBaroque architecture andRococo churches used theatrical space, integrated decoration, and urban scenography in response to varied patronage including theCounter-Reformation.[10][11] After 1517 theReformation fostered preaching-oriented halls and centralized plans in many Protestant regions, while the Orthodox East sustained and elaborated domedcross-in-square and other centralized schemes.[12] Global expansion carried European models and local adaptations to the Americas, Africa, and Asia, and the 19th century saw widespread historic revivals.[6][13][14] In the 20th century new materials, modernist minimalism, and liturgical reforms such as theSecond Vatican Council of 1962 to 1965 reshaped altars, seating, and the relationship between clergy and laity.[15][16]
South facade of theChurch of Saint Simeon Stylites in Aleppo, Syria, is considered to be one of the oldest surviving ruins of a church building in the world.
The earliest archeologically identified Christian church is ahouse church (domus ecclesiae), theDura-Europos church, founded between 233 AD and 256 AD.[1]
In the second half of the third century AD, the first purpose-built halls for Christian worship (aula ecclesiae) began to be constructed. Many of these structures were destroyed during theDiocletianic Persecution in the early 4th century. Even larger and more elaborate churches began to appear during the reign of EmperorConstantine the Great.[17]
From the 11th through the 14th centuries, a wave ofcathedral building and the construction of smallerparish churches occurred acrossWestern Europe. Besides serving as aplace of worship, the cathedral or parish church was frequently employed as a general gathering place by the communities in which they were located, hosting such events asguild meetings,banquets,mystery plays, andfairs. Church grounds and buildings were also used for the threshing and storage of grain.[18]
Between 1000 and 1200, theRomanesque style became popular acrossEurope. The Romanesque style is defined by large and bulky edifices typically composed of simple, compact, sparsely decorated geometric structures. Frequent features of the Romanesque church includecircular arches, round oroctagonal towers, andcushion capitals on pillars. In the early Romanesque era,coffering on the ceiling was fashionable, while later in the same era,groined vaults gained popularity. Interiors widened, and the motifs of sculptures took on more epic traits and themes.[19] Romanesque architects adopted many Roman or early Christian architectural ideas, such as a cruciform ground plan, as that ofAngoulême Cathedral, and thebasilica system of a nave with a central vessel and side aisles.[20]
TheCathedral of Ani, one of the founders of the Gothic style of architectureTheFrauenkirche in Munich is a largelyGothic, medieval church.
TheGothic style emerged around 1140 inÎle-de-France and subsequently spread throughout Europe.[21] Gothic churches lost the compact qualities of the Romanesque era, and decorations often containedsymbolic andallegorical features. The firstpointed arches,rib vaults, andbuttresses began to appear, all possessing geometric properties that reduced the need for large, rigid walls to ensure structural stability. This also permitted the size of windows to increase, producing brighter and lighter interiors.Nave ceilings rose, and pillars and steeples heightened.[22][20] Many architects used these developments to push the limits of structural possibility – an inclination that resulted in the collapse of several towers whose designs had unwittingly exceeded the boundaries of soundness. In Germany, the Netherlands and Spain, it became popular to buildhall churches, a style in which everyvault would be built to the same height.
Gothic cathedrals were lavishly designed, as in the Romanesque era, and many share Romanesque traits. Bagneux Church, France (1170–1190) exhibited both styles - a Romanesque tower, and Gothic nave and choir.[20] Several also exhibit unprecedented degrees of detail and complexity in decoration.Notre-Dame de Paris andReims Cathedral in France, as well as the church ofSan Francesco d'Assisi inPalermo,Salisbury Cathedral and thewool churches in England, andSanthome Church inChennai,India, show the elaborate stylings characteristic of Gothic cathedrals.
Some of the most well-known gothic churches remained unfinished for centuries after the style fell out of popularity. One such example is the construction ofCologne Cathedral, which began in 1248, was halted in 1473, and didn't resume until 1842.[23]
In the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the changes in ethics and society due to theRenaissance and theReformation also influenced the building of churches. The common style was much like the Gothic style but simplified. Thebasilica was not the most popular type of church anymore, but instead,hall churches were built. Typical features are columns and classicalcapitals.[24]
The construction of theSistine Chapel with its uniquely important decorations and the entire rebuilding ofSt. Peter's Basilica, one ofChristendom's most significant churches, were part of this process.[25] In the wealthyRepublic of Florence, the impetus for church-building was more civic than spiritual. The unfinished state of the enormousFlorence Cathedral dedicated to theBlessed Virgin Mary did no honour to the city under her patronage. However, as the technology and finance were found to complete it, the rising dome did credit not only to the Virgin Mary, its architect and the Church but also to theSignoria, the Guilds and the sectors of the city from which the manpower to construct it was drawn. The dome inspired further religious works in Florence.
InProtestant churches, where the proclamation of God's Word is of particular importance, the visitor's line of sight is directed towards thepulpit.
TheBaroque style was first used in Italy around 1575. From there, it spread to the rest of Europe and the European colonies. The building industry increased heavily during theBaroque era. Buildings, even churches, were used to indicate wealth, authority, and influence. The use of forms known from theRenaissance was extremely exaggerated.Domes andcapitals were decorated with moulding, and the formerstucco sculptures were replaced byfresco paintings on the ceilings. For the first time, churches were seen as one connected work of art, and consistent artistic concepts were developed. Instead of long buildings, more central-plan buildings were created. The sprawling decoration with floral ornamentation and mythological motives lasted until about 1720, in theRococo era.[26]
The Protestantparishes preferred Protestant churches often prioritize proximity between worshippers, the nave (main worship space), and the altar (often called a communion table).[27] This is achieved through various architectural designs and practices, including moving the altar loser to the congregation, decreasing the distance between the entrance and altar, and employing simpler architectural styles that focus attention on the pulpit and communion table.
Church architecture developed from house churches and repurposed halls into purpose-builtbasilicas after theEdict of Milan in 313 and the establishment ofNicene Christianity as the imperial state religion in 380, and in the Byzantine East it soon embraced domed centralized schemes culminating in thecross-in-square type by the ninth to tenth centuries.[28][29][30] In Western Europe theRomanesque of about 1000 to 1150 consolidated stone vaulting, thick walls, and modular planning, and from the 1140s theGothic system of pointed arches, rib vaults, andflying buttresses enabled taller naves and luminous clerestories that transformed liturgical space.[31][32][33] From the 15th to the 18th centuries,Renaissance designers reasserted classical orders and centralized ideals, theReformation simplified imagery and organized Protestant interiors around the pulpit and congregational audibility, and the CatholicCounter-Reformation after theCouncil of Trent (1545 to 1563) promoted axial clarity and ceremonial focus across Europe and in Iberian colonial churches.[34][35][36] Since the 19th century, revival styles and industrial materials have broadened the available language of design, and in the 20th century theLiturgical Movement and theSecond Vatican Council (1962 to 1965) reshaped Catholic layouts toward active participation, while modernist experiments reframed light, structure, and community.[37][38][39][29]
The architectural design ofChristian churches commonly incorporates symbolic elements that reflect theological andliturgical meaning. Thecruciform plan, with a long centralnave intersected bytransepts, represents theChristian cross and remains one of the most widespread church layouts.[40] Churches frequently featuredomed orvaulted ceilings that draw the eye upward toward heaven. Alternative geometric plans include circular designs symbolizing eternity, oroctagonal forms representing the church's role in illuminating the world. Most churches include a prominentspire ortower, typically positioned at the western end or crossing, which serves both practical and symbolic functions.[41]
The orientation of churches traditionally follows specific principles, with the mainaltar typically facing east toward sunrise.[42] This eastward alignment originated in fourth-centuryByzantium and became standard practice inWestern churches during the eighth and ninth centuries. Historical variations existed, particularly in earlyRoman churches where western-facing altars remained common through the eleventh century. Notable examples of western altar orientation persisted in prominent German churches includingBamberg Cathedral,Augsburg Cathedral,Regensburg Cathedral, andHildesheim Cathedral.[43]
St. Peter's Basilica, completed in 1626, is the largest church building by interior volume (227,070 m³) and a principal basilica of the Catholic Church.TheSt. John's Cathedral ('s-Hertogenbosch) in the Netherlands. On June 22, 1929, St. John's was given the honorary title of basilica because of the special veneration of Our Lady of Den Bosch.
TheLatin wordbasilica was initially used to describe aRoman public building usually located in theforum of a Roman town.[44][45] After theRoman Empire becameofficially Christian, the term came by extension to refer to a large and influential church that has been given special ceremonial rights by thePope.[46] The word thus retains two senses today, one architectural and the other ecclesiastical.
A cathedral is a church, usuallyCatholic,Anglican,Oriental Orthodox orEastern Orthodox, that houses the seat of a bishop. The wordcathedral comes fromcathedra, the bishop's throne inLatin:ecclesia cathedralis. The term is sometimes applied more broadly to any church of great size, although that usage is imprecise.
Cathedrals often showcase ambitious architectural design and the work of accomplished craftsmen. They carry significant ecclesiastical and civic status that parish churches rarely attain.[47][full citation needed] Many are celebrated as notable works of architecture.[48]
A chapel may be a discrete space with an altar inside a larger cathedral, conventual, parish, or other church. It can also be a freestanding small church building or room not connected to a larger church, created to serve a particularhospital,school,university, prison, private household,palace,castle, or other institution. Proprietary churches and small conventual churches are often described with this term.[49]
A collegiate church is a church where thedaily office of worship is maintained by acollege ofcanons, which may be presided over by adean orprovost.Collegiate churches were often supported by extensive lands held by the church, or bytithe income fromappropriatedbenefices. They commonly provide distinct spaces for congregational worship and for the choir offices of their clerical community.
A parish church is a church built to meet the needs of people localised in a geographical area called aparish. The vast majority of Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran church buildings fall into this category. A parish church may also be a basilica, a cathedral, a conventual or collegiate church, or a place of pilgrimage. The vast majority of parish churches do not however enjoy such privileges.
In addition to a parish church, each parish may maintain auxiliary organizations and their facilities such as arectory,parish hall,parochial school, orconvent, frequently located on the same campus or adjacent to the church.
A pilgrimage church is a church to whichpilgrimages are regularly made, or a church along a pilgrimage route, often located at the tomb of asaints, or holding icons orrelics to which miraculous properties are ascribed, the site ofMarian apparitions, etc.
During the Middle Ages, a proprietary church was a church, abbey, or cloister built on the private grounds of a feudal lord, over which he retained proprietary interests.
The architecture ofevangelical places of worship is mainly characterized by its sobriety.[50][51] TheLatin cross is a well knownChristian symbol that can usually be seen on the building of an evangelical church and that identifies the place's belonging.[52][53] Some services take place in theaters, schools or multipurpose rooms, rented for Sunday only.[54][55][56] There is usually abaptistery at the front of the church (in what is known as thechancel in historic traditions) or in a separate room forbaptisms by immersion.[57][58]
A church in which more than 2,000 people gather each Sunday is known as amegachurch. The term gigachurch is sometimes used to refer to especially large megachurches, such asLakewood Church (United States) orYoido Full Gospel Church (South Korea).[59][60][61]
Old and disused church buildings can be seen as an interesting proposition for developers as the architecture and location often provide for attractive homes[68] or city centre entertainment venues.[69] On the other hand, many newer churches have decided to host meetings in public buildings such as schools,[70] universities,[71] cinemas[72] or theatres.[73]
There is another trend to convert old buildings forworship rather than face the construction costs and planning difficulties of a new build. Unusual venues in the UK include a former tram power station,[74] a formerbus garage,[75] a former cinema andbingo hall,[76] a formerTerritorial Army drill hall,[77] and a formersynagogue.[78]HMS Tees served as a floating church for mariners atLiverpool from 1827 until she sank in 1872.[79] A windmill has also been converted into a church atReigate Heath.
There have been increased partnerships between church management and private real estate companies to redevelop church properties into mixed uses. While it has garnered criticism, the partnership allows congregations to increase revenue while preserving the property.[80]
A number of Roman temples have been converted to churches including the Pantheon temple in Rome which was converted into a church dedicated toSt. Mary and the Martyrs in the 7th century, also known as "Santa Maria Rotonda".[81]
Mosques have also been converted for use by other religions, notably in southern Spain, following the conquest of the Moors in 1492.[82] The most prominent of them is theGreat Mosque of Cordoba, itself constructed on the site of a church demolished during the period of Muslim rule.Palma Cathedral inPalma de Mallorca was converted into a church after the mosque in its site was demolished,[83] The Mosque of Cristo de la Luz in Toledo, Spain was converted into a church around 1187,[84] Outside of theIberian Peninsula, such instances also occurred in southeastern Europe once regions were no longer under Muslim rule, like theSeven Saints Church, in Sofia, Bulgaria.
TheAramean temple in Damascus, Syria, which became a Roman temple of Jupiter was later converted into the church ofSt. John in the 4th century, the site was then bought byUmayyadcaliphAl-Walid I in 705 and the church was demolished and the Umayyad Mosque was built on the site.[85]
The exterior outlines ofSt Martin-in-the-Fields (London, 1720), tall front steeple above pitched roof and rectangle, popularized a template for many church buildings in North America and beyond
Saudi Arabia, which has about 1.5 million Christians, prohibits the construction of churches.[107] The country does preserve the remnants of the fourth-centuryJubail Church, affiliated with theChurch of the East.[108] Discovered in 1986 and excavated in 1987 by the Saudi Antiquities Department, the site remained unpublished as of 2008 because of sensitivities regarding non-Islamic artifacts.[108] The Maldives, home to about 1,400 Christians,[109] also bans church construction, though foreign Christian workers may worship privately.[110] Despite these prohibitions, both countries host secrethome churches.[87]
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^Peter W. Williams,Houses of God: Region, Religion, and Architecture in the United States, University of Illinois Press, USA, 2000, p. 125
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^Mark A. Lamport,Encyclopedia of Christianity in the Global South, Volume 2, Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2018, p. 32
^Anne C. Loveland, Otis B. Wheeler, From Meetinghouse to Megachurch: A Material and Cultural History, University of Missouri Press, USA, 2003, p. 149
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^Sam Hey,Megachurches: Origins, Ministry, and Prospects, Wipf and Stock Publishers, USA, 2013, p. 265.
^Allan Heaton Anderson,An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity, Cambridge University Press, UK, 2013, p. 104.
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^Holt, Andrew (2019).The World of the Crusades: A Daily Life Encyclopedia [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. p. 57.ISBN9781440854620.was housed in the most important church in Christendom, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
^abcKurian, George (2015).A Quick Look at Christian History: A Chronological Timeline Through the Centuries. Harvest House Publishers. pp. 187–188.ISBN9780736953795.
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^"To the time of Constantine (71–312)". Catholic Encyclopedia.Archived from the original on 24 February 2023. Retrieved15 November 2013.Certainly no spot in Christendom can be more venerable than the place of the Last Supper, which became the first Christian church.
^Stokes, Jamie, ed. (2008).Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Africa and the Middle East. New York:Infobase Publishing. p. 65.ISBN9781438126760.Etchmiatzin is located in the west of modern Armenia, close to the border with Turkey, and its fourth-century cathedral is generally regarded as the oldest in the world.
^Dhilawala, Sakina (1997).Armenia. New York:Marshall Cavendish. p. 72.ISBN9780761406839.Echmiadzin Cathedral is the spiritual center of the Armenian Church and the seat of the Catholicos of all Armenians. It is also the oldest cathedral and Christian monastery in the world.
^Utudjian, Édouard (1968).Armenian Architecture: 4th to 17th Century. Editions A. Morancé. p. 7....he also wanted to contribute to the restoration of the oldest cathedral in Christendom, that of Etchmiadzin, founded in the 4th century.
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